Dr Mark Ero, who specialises in the study of insects, completed a visit to Vanuatu recently through a Pacific Community (SPC) project to raise awareness on the invasive species.
RNZ Pacific reports Dr Ero is concerned that the damaged logs and coconut palms left in the aftermath of the double cyclones last month was the preferred breeding hosts for the beetle.
He said if the palm trunks were not cleaned and destroyed properly they would become conducive breeding grounds for the beetle, enabling the population to explode, exacerbating damage levels and spreading further.
